Friday, September 23, 2011

Button laughs off links to his childhood dream Ferrari

SINGAPORE - Another "different gear, still speeding" Formula 1 weekend. Jenson Button (here in a weird red for McLaren) has laughed off suggestion he could be on his way to "the Rossa" red Ferrari in 2013.
"When I was growing up I was excited about the three big teams - Williams, McLaren and Ferrari", he said, who started his career with Williams in 2000.
"It doesn't mean you need to drive for Ferrari to fulfil your childhood dreams because as you grow up things change."
Rumours first arose in May after the Englishman revelead he'd always dreamed of driving for the Italian marque.
Team principal Martin Whitmarsh is keen to tie Button down to a long-term deal.
"Jenson will be here next year", he said earlier this month (but they're still in talks).
"We're looking to do a deal that will see him race for McLaren for the rest of his career. That may be for the next 3 or 5 years. Who knows? Jenson is a mature and very intelligent guy. He is still fit as a flea and still hungry to race."
The Ferrari suggestion had raised its head again in the wake of the Canadian race (unforgettable for Jenson), where the 2009 world champion came together his teammate in a race he went on to win with a dramatic final lap pass.
But now he rubbished the story, saying the idea was "hilarious because it's not true. I don't know who put that out there, but it wasn't us and it wasn't Ferrari".
Given his current role as joint-team leader alongside Hamilton, a move to Ferrari where he would play second fiddle to Alonso seems unlikely.

Jenson could pull off a major coup this season by becoming the first team-mate to finish ahead of Lewis Hamilton in the championship.
Whitmarsh has revealed the broader McLaren company hopes to work with Button beyond his Formula One career. "He could take on an ambassador's role for us".
Ferrari fans, everything is possible, but for now: dream on. Ferrari, please get Hamilton instead.